2. INDIA HOUSE HISTORY
India House has a long and distinguished heritage tied into the formation of lower Manhattan as well
as the history of business and commerce of New York.
The landmark India House was constructed by the builder Richard Carman some time after the fire
of 1835, in the style of a Renaissance palazzo, residential palaces of Italian banking families. It was
the home of the Hanover Bank who first purchased the property.
The edifice has remained almost unchanged since that date. Extensive restoration work was
completed in 2005. The name India House was selected to symbolize the Indies, which were believed
to epitomize the rare and exotic. The name also pays homage to the Dutch West India Company, the
first colonizers of Manhattan.
After the Hanover Bank moved out, the property became the possession of Robert L. Maitland. His
company Maitland and Company were tobacco importers. The property was subsequently used by
the New York Cotton Exchange (1870 to 1885), and later by W.R. Grace & Company.
India House, as an organization, came into being in 1914, when a group of business men headed by
James A. Farrell, then president of United States Steel Company, in collaboration with Willard
Straight, decided to create a meeting place for the interests of foreign trade. Presidents of the
Lackawanna Steel Company, Dollar Steamship Company, W.R. Grace Shipping, Chase National
Bank, and United States Rubber all became Governors of India House and remained active during
its first two decades.
The national Foreign Trade Council made India House its headquarters. Leaders in commerce
worldwide graced the halls at India House. Indeed, from its very inception, the club's charter stated
that its goal was to "create in this country a relation between the bankers and the promoters of
foreign enterprises that would make it possible to handle foreign undertakings... “.
Early in 1918 Willard Straight bought the property with the idea that India House might some day
wish to own it. Through the generosity of Mrs. Dorothy Payne Whitney-Straight (Elmhirst), India
House acquired the property in February 1921, and on the expiration of certain leases in 1924,
rearranged and rebuilt the structure.
In 1925, Mr. William A. Delano, the well-known architect added what is now known as the Marine
Room, with special lighting and architectural details that relate to marine life and seafaring.
Extensive alterations were made and the rooms were fitted out in the spirit of the early American
overseas trade.
Dorothy Whitney and her husband Willard Straight collected and gave a collection of thirty-five ship
models, and subsequently a large collection of paintings, prints, maritime relics and other decorations
which had been loaned to the Club when it was formed and had given it much of its unique
atmosphere. These and other gifts from members and friends have given the Club a very fine
collection of paintings, models and other art objects connected with sailing vessels, seafaring life and
trade with East India.
Mr. James A. Farrell, the President, gave, then and later, rare ship models, engravings and paintings.
Mr. Straight donated a collection of Chinese art objects and maritime paintings. India House is home
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3. to one of the finest marine art collections in the world. India House has remained a private club and
a location to build relationships between businesses in the United States and foreign trade. The
maritime historian, Frank O. Braynard, in his 1973 foreword to the second edition of The Marine
Collection at India House, states that "England could not have survived [World War Two] without
the armada of American-built, American-manned, American-operated merchant vessels...managed by
many of the outstanding members of India House."
Many statesmen have been members of India House, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry
Hopkins, Henry Morgenthau, Jr., James Byrnes, W. Averell Harriman, George C. Marshall, Henry
Cabot Lodge and Cyrus Vance. Other members include previous mayors of New York, including
John P. O'Brien and the famous architect William Adams Delano, whose firm, Delano & Aldrich,
redesigned the interior of India House.
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4. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
Seasonal Sliced Fresh Fruit
An Assortment of Breakfast Pastries
Croissants, Muffins and Bagels
Butter, Cream Cheese and Jams
Selection of Fruit Juices to Include: Pineapple, Cranberry and Orange
Fresh Brewed Coffee, Decaffeinated and Herbal Teas
$30.00 per guest
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(20 person minimum)
Seasonal Sliced Fresh Fruit
Herbed Scrambled Eggs
French Toast, Maple Syrup
Oatmeal with Apples, Brown Sugar
Applewood Smoked Bacon, Turkey Sausage, Home Fried Potatoes
Assorted Bagels, Muffins, Croissants and Danishes
Butter, Cream Cheese, Jams
Selection of Fruit Juices to Include: Pineapple, Cranberry and Orange
Fresh Brewed Coffee, Decaffeinated and Herbal Teas
$40.00 per guest
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5. SEATED BREAKFAST MENU
A Breakfast Basket on Each Table Will Include:
An Assortment of Breakfast Pastries
Croissants, Muffins and Bagels
Butter, Cream Cheese and Jams
FIRST COURSE
(select one)
Fresh Seasonal Sliced Fruit
Salmon Two Ways
Gravlax & Smoked Salmon, Fennel-Orange Salad
Yogurt with Fresh Berries and Granola
ENTRÉE
(select two)
Smoked Salmon Scrambled Eggs
Eggs Benedict, Canadian Bacon
Cornflake & Coconut Crusted French Toast
Strawberry & Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast, Maple Syrup
Crispy Belgian Waffles with Fresh Berries & Devonshire Cream
Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Crepes
Duck & Mushroom Hash, Poached Eggs
Selection of Fruit Juices to Include: Pineapple, Cranberry and Orange
Fresh Brewed Coffee, Decaffeinated and Herbal Teas
$50.00 per guest
All Food and Beverage Pricing is subject to a 22% Administrative Fee (Taxable) and 8.875% Sales Tax.
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6. SEATING CAPACITY
Room Dimensions
length x
width
Sq Ft Floor Conference Seated Reception Theater Classroom
Hanover 29’.7” x 47’.7” 1416 1st 44 100 125 130 70
Presidents’ 47.7” x 20’7” 987 2nd 40 100 100 120 50
Garden View
Room
22’3” x 17’.7”
41’6” x 21’
1267 2nd 30 100 200 100 60
Batavia Room 27’10” x 21”6” 612 2nd 15 60 75 60 27
Jewel 17’10” x 15’ 256 3rd 13 13 20 20 n/a
Broad 17’3” x 14’4” 249 3rd 16 16 20 20 n/a
Pearl 26’5” x 19’11” 506 3rd 22 60 125* 40 33
China 27’10” x 22’ 596 3rd 22 60 *Included 30 42
Stone 22’ 7” x 39’9” 906 3rd 40 100 100 100 60
Marine 69’11” x 28’6” 1976 3rd 70 200 300 225 150
Entire Facility 8771
Note: Capacity may change based on requirements, audio visual, entertainment, etc....
ROOM RENTAL
Room Room Rate
Jewel $250.00
Broad $250.00
Pearl $500.00
China Included in Pearl Suite
Stone $750.00
Hanover $1,000.00
Presidents’ $750.00
Garden View Suite $1,000.00
Batavia Room Included in Garden View Suite
Marine $1,250.00
Entire Facility F&B Minimum or Rental Starting at $30,000.00
Note: Room Rates are priced with Food and Beverage Menus.
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7. INDIA HOUSE
One Hanover Square * New York, NY * 10004
212-269-2323 * www.indiahouseclub.org
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